Apparatus for sorting similar type objects

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for sorting substantially similar type objects which differ from one another either in terms of the properties of two oppositely situated surfaces of the object or in terms of the spacing of such two surfaces from one another. In order to effectively sort such objects, the inventive apparatus incorporates two entrainment members possessing object entrainment surfaces spaced in substantial parallelism from one another. When the apparatus is utilized for sorting objects possessing different spacing of such surfaces, then, the entrainment members can be movably driven in the same sense or direction, and in the other situation where there are sorted objects whose surfaces possess different properties, such entrainment members are driven in a manner that at least the overlapping portions of such entrainment members are moved in a respective opposite sense or direction with respect to one another.

Unite tates Patent lta. osch Feb. 29, 1972 [54] APPAATUS FOR SORTHNGSIMILAR 'li'YPlE UBJECTS [72] lnventor: Jakob Bosch, St. Gallen,Switzerland Q [73] Assignee: Heinrich Schmid, vorm. Schmiul & Solin,

St. Gallen, Switzerland [22] Filed: Nov. 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 87,403

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 13, 1969 Switzerland..16916/69 52] us. Cl ..209/91 [51] int. Cl. ..B07c 5/00 '[58] Field ofSearch ..209/91, 88, 74, 104, 108

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,286,813 11/1966 Fuhrimann..209/90 X 3,008,579 11/1961 Bartlett ..209/91 3,313,410 4/1967 Gardner..209/91 X Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-GeneA. Church Attorney-Karl W. FlOCkS [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus forsorting substantially similar type objects which differ from one anothereither in terms of the properties of two oppositely situated surfaces ofthe object or in terms of the spacing of such two surfaces from oneanother. In order to effectively sort such objects, the inventiveapparatus incorporates two entrainment members possessing objectentrainment surfaces spaced in substantial parallelism from one another.When the apparatus is utilize-d for sorting objects possessing differentspacing of such surfaces, then, the entrainment members can be movablydriven in the same sense or direction, and in the other situation wherethere are sorted objects whose surfaces possess different properties,such entrainment members are driven in a manner that at least theoverlapping portions of such entrainment members are moved in arespective opposite sense or direction with respect to one another.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEOFEB29 1912 I 3,645,395

SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENTOR.

JAKOB BOSCH /(HRL (J Hoe; W

ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR SORTING SIMILAR TYPE OBJECTS BACKGROUND ANDSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new andimproved apparatus for sorting essentially similar type objects,differing from one another either in the characteristics or propertiesof two oppositely situated surfaces of such objects or differing fromone another in terms of the spacing of such two surfaces from oneanother.

The equipment of the present invention is suitable for sorting manydifferent types of objects which are essentially similar, and isparticularly useful for performing an automatic sorting of flat objectsas a function of their function of their rough and smooth surfaces, forinstance, as would exist with punched or stamped parts, as a function ofthe side of the object containing burrs or fins or the like and the sidewhich is circular or round, or also for automatically sorting flat orround objects as afunction of their thickness and flatness.

Apart from the foregoing objective of the present invention, there isalso proposed equipment for automatically sorting objects in a mostrapid, reliable and relatively foolproof manner.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates tothe provision of improved typeof sorting equipment for essentiallysimilar objects, which equipment is relatively simple in construction,economical to manufacture, extremely reliable in operation, and providesfor accurate sorting of the objects when same possess either differentproperties of oppositely situated surfaces or different spacing of suchsurfaces from one another.

Yet a further noteworthy object of the present invention relates tosorting equipment which is not only economical to manufacture and easyto use, but possesses a minimum of components which are sensitive tomalfunction, therefore requiring less servicing and maintenance of theequipment.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the inventive sorting apparatus is generally manifested by thefeatures that there are provided two entrainment members possessingobject entrainment surfaces which are spaced at a predetermined distancein substantial parallelism with respect to one another. When theapparatus is used for sorting objects possessing different spacing ofthe object surfaces from one another, then such entrainment members canbe movably driven in the same direction or sense, whereas when theequipment is used for the other situa' tion mentioned above, namely,when sorting objects here the oppositely situated surfaces possessdifferent characteristics or properties, then at least the overlappingportion of such entrainment members are driven in opposite direction orsense with respect to one another insofar as such overlapping portionsis concerned. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, this is ineffect the case whether the entrainment members themselves are driven inthe same sense or opposite senses with regard to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view, partly in cross section, of apreferred form of sorting apparatus, depicting the components thereof ina first operating position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the sorting apparatus depicted in FIG. 1,partly in sectional view as taken substantially along the line II-II ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of the sorting apparatus of FIG.1, shown substantially similar to the representation of FIG. 1, butdepicting the apparatus itself in a second operating position, and usinga modified form of object ejector mechanism; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, again partly in section, of the equipmentrepresented in FIG. 3 and taken substantially along the line IVIV ofsuch FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now thedrawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is schematically illustrated apreferred embodiment of sorting apparatus which will be seen to becomposed of two horizontally disposed entrainment means, in the form ofentrainment disk or plate members 1 and 2 arranged in substantialparallelism to one another in spaced superimposed relationship, asshown. Each entrainment plate member 1 and 2 is seated for nonrelativerotation upon a nonvisible support plate arranged at the end of anassociated drive shaft 3 and 4 respectively. These drive shafts 3 and 4are coaxially arranged with regard to their associated circular-shapeddisk or plate and, as shown in FIG. ll, extend from such associated diskor plate in opposite directions. The drive shafts 3 and 4 for theentrainment plates 1 and 2, respectively, are driven with the samerotational speed in any suitable manner. For instance, one or both ofsuch drive shafts, may be equipped with a suitable drive mechanism ormotor, as schematically indicated at 20 for the drive shaft 4. Thisdrive motor 20 can rotate the shaft members 3 and 4 in the same sense ordirection of rotation, as is the case with the arrangement of FIG. 1, oralternatively, as will be explained more fully hereinafter can alsodrive the shafts 3 and 4 in opposite directions when, for instance, theentrainment plate members 1 and 2 are coaxially disposed. Additionally,it will be seen that both shaft members 3 and 4 are rotatably mounted atthe end of a respective arm member 5 and 6 neighboring the entrainmentdisks or plates I and 2 respectively.

Continuing, it will be seen by again referring to FIG. 1 that the shaftmembers 3 and 4 are stepped or provided with shoulders 7 and 8respectively, at the end portions thereof neighboring the entrainmentplate members 1 and 2 respectively. Additionally, the forwardmostrespective ends of the arm members 5 and 6 are arranged in each instancebetween the rear face of the associated nonvisible support disk and theassociated shoulder 7 and 8 situated at the rear portion of thecorresponding stepped region of the shaft members 3 and 4. Morespecifically, it is here mentioned that the lower shaft member 3 and itsassociated entrainment plate member 1 is mounted at the associated armmember 5 so as to be essentially free of play in both axial and radialdirection. On the other hand, the upper shaft member 4 and itsassociated entrainment plate member 2 is mounted at the support armmember 6 so that it is essentially free of play in the radial direction,but in the axial direction a certain amount of play is present since thestepped end portion of the shaft member 4 piercingly extending throughthe associated arm member 6 is longer than the thickness or width ofsuch arm member 6 at that location. The shaft member 4 bears by means ofits shoulder 8 against the arm member 6 and the entrainment plate member2 can deviate or deflect in an upward axial direction, as should bereadily apparent from the foregoing discussion. The weight of theentrainment plate member 2 can be calculated such that it is sufficientto downwardly urge such plate member under the influence of gravity in adirection towards the other entrainment plate member 1, but, if desired,it would be possible to rely upon a separate force apart from that ofgravity, for instance by using a spring, to so downwardly urge theentrainment plate member 2.

The lower arm member 5 is pivotably mounted at location 9 at thenonillustrated stationary machine frame, pivot location 9 being spacedfrom the lengthwise axis of the shaft member 3, as shown. Due to thismounting arrangement, it is possible for the arm member 5 to be rockedout of its illustrated horizontal position into a desired inclinedposition, suitable fixing or clamping means, schematically indicated at21, serving to arrest such arm member 5 in any desired position at theframe.

A substantially circular rod member or bar 10, oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the arm member 5, piercingly extends through the rearend of such arm member 5. This rod or bar member 10 is displaceablymounted along its lengthwise extending rod axis with respect to the armmember 5 and can be fixed in any desired displaced position relative tosuch arm member, schematic illustrated fastening or clamping means 22being shown in FIG. 1 for this purpose. The upper arm member 6, whichwill be seen to be oriented similarly at right angles or perpendicularto the rod or bar 10, also piercingly extends through the upperneighboring end of such rod member 10. Just as was the case with regardto the mounting of the rod member with respect to the lower arm member5, here also the upper arm member 6 is mounted so as to belongitudinally displaceable within the rod or bar member 10 and,similarly, can be fixed in any desired displaced position relativethereto, by means of the schematically indicated clamping of fixingmechanism 23.

Now, in the operating position of the equipment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2the entrainment plate members 1 and 2 are horizontally disposed andtheir axes of rotation are offset with respect to one another, as shown.Consequently, by best referring to FIG. 2 it will be seen that theseentrainment plate members l and 2 only partially overlap at location 14and their axes of rotation are located externally of such overlappingzone 14. Furthermore, outside of this overlapping zone 14 and at a smallspacing above the lower entrainment plate member I there is arranged anobject stripper mechanism 11 extending approximately parallel to thesupport arms 5 and 6 and to the respective diameters of the entrainmentplates 1 and 2. Furthermore, this stripper mechanism or element 11extends from the central region of the entrainment plate member 1radially outward and somewhat past the marginal edge of such platemember. In the exemplary embodiment under consideration both of theentrainment plate members 1 and 2 are advantageously formed of aflexible or resilient elastic material, plastic, for instance, and morespecifically, nylon by way of example.

Now with the components of the sorting apparatus assuming the operatingposition depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, this sorting apparatus serves forthe automatic sorting of flat objects in terms of or as a function oftheir rough and smooth faces or sides, and its mode of operation can bedescribed as follows:

Both of the entrainment plate members 1,2 are continuously driven, andin the case under consideration continuously rotated, in the same senseor direction about their corresponding axis, as indicated by thedirection represented by reference characters A. The flat objects to besorted, for example, stamped or punched parts, are placed at location Bupon the lower plate member I. This plate member 1 then entrains ortransfers such stamped parts into the overlapping zone 14. At the regionof the overlapping zone 14 the stamped parts are further entrained bythat entrainment plate member against which bears the rough face of thepart, in other words the face or side of the stamped part which has theburrs or fins, for instance. To further elucidate, it is here mentionedthat if, for instance, the stamped parts have the burr face directedupwardly, then such stamped part will be entrained by the upperentrainment plate member 2 and ejected from the equipment in thedirection of the arrow C. On the other hand, stamped parts, where theburr or rough face is downwardly directed, will be entrained by thelower entrainment plate member 1 and transferred through the overlappingzone 14 until contacting the stripper element 11. At this location, thethus displaced stamped part will be transferred away towards the outsidein the direction of the arrow D.

Consequently, through the use of this equipment, it is possible to carryout an automatic face-correct sorting of punched or stamped parts.Because of the axial displacement possibility provided for theentrainment plate member 2, this upper plate member 2 can, if necessary,move slightly upwards in axial direction during the sorting operation.Furthermore, it is here mentioned that in the case under consideration,where the entrainment plate members 1,2 rotate or move in the samedirection or sense, the portions of such plate members defining theoverlapping zone 14 at each instant of time, in effect, rotate inopposite directions. For instance, if any given point is considered onthe surface of the upper entrainment plate member 2, and viewing therotation of the overlapping portion of the upper plate member 2 fromsuch point, it would appear that, with regard to FIG. 2, the overlappingportion of the upper plate member I is rotating downward in the plane ofthe drawing and that the overlapping plate portion of the otherentrainment member I is rotating upwards in the plane of the drawing, inother words in opposite directions. As will be explained more fullyhereinafter, the same conditions similarly prevail regarding the senseof movement or rotation of the instantaneous overlapping portion 14 evenif the entrainment plate members I and 2 are themselves rotated inopposite directions, but again as will be explained more fullyhereinafter, such requires a different position of the entrainment platemembers, namely where they are substantially coaxially disposed relativeto one another. is pivotably mounted at the rod member 10, stripperelement 15 not having been Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4 the sortingapparatus of the invention is there shown in an inclined operatingposition. In order for the equipment to be oriented from the positionshown in FIG. 1 into that position depicted in FIG. 3, the upper armmember 6 is displaced until both entrainment disk or plate members 1 and2 are coaxially arranged with respect to one another, and then, theentire apparatus is rocked about the pivot axis at location 9 out of itshorizontal position into the illustrated inclined position. In thiscase, it is to be mentioned that the plate members 1 and 2 previouslyformed of nylon, have been replaced by plate members formed of ahardened or sintered metal. Furthermore, a stripper element 15 nothaving been illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and such stripper element canbe rocked or pivoted between the entrainment plates 1 and 2. In thiscase, the stripper element 11 of the arrangement of FIG. I has beenremoved.

In the last-mentioned position of the equipment, the latter serves forsorting of objects, such as, for instance, flat stamped or punchedparts, in terms of their thickness and flatness, and the mode ofoperation can be considered as follows:

Once again, both entrainment plate members I and 2 rotat withoutinterruption in the same sense or direction, as indicated by thedirection of the arrow A. The objects to be sorted are introduced atlocation E between the entrainment plates 1 and 2. Those objects whichdo not exceed the maximum permissible thickness fall through betweenthese plates 1,2 and depart therefrom at location F. On the other hand,objects whose thickness is greater than the maximum permissiblethickness are clamped between the entrainment plate members l and 2,entrained by such in the direction of arrow A and then outwardly ejectedat location G by the stripper element 15. This stripper element ormechanism 15 is located between both ejection locations F and G.

Furthermore, it is here mentioned that the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1can also be successfully employed as a sorting mechanism for sortingflat objects in terms of or as a function of their rough and smoothfaces or sides, if both entrainment plate members 1 and 2 are adjustedso that they are coaxially positioned with respect to one another anddriven by the drive mechanism 20 in opposite senses or directions. Eachof the objects introduced between the plates 1 and 2 is entrained bythat plate member against which faces the rough side or face of theobject. In order to outwardly eject the objects there is thenadvantageously employed the stripper element 15 illustrated in thearrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Finally, it is here mentioned that with the operation of the sortingequipment of FIG. 1, modified to the extent that the plate members I and2 are coaxially disposed, and wherein such plate members rotate inopposite directions, the overlapping portions of such plate members,here overlapping being total because of the coaxial arrangement, move inopposite directions or sense just as was the situation with theequipment arrangement of FIG. 1, even though there the plate memberswere moving in the same direction or sense. Hence, it can be stated thatwhen the equipment is used for sorting the objects in accordance withvarying properties of oppositely disposed surfaces of such objects, atleast the overlapping zone or portion of the plate members move inopposite directions, regardless of whether the plate members themselvesare driven in the same direction or in an opposite direction.

While with the exemplary embodiments of equipment shown herein theentrainment members have been illustrated as rotatable disks or plates,capable of assuming the various positions discussed above relative toone another and spatially, it is here remarked by way of completenessthat such type construction is but exemplary inasmuch as otherstructures of entrainment members, such as belts or bands, for instance,properly positioned to cooperate with one another could be utilized toachieve the same or analogous sorting effect.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An apparatus for sorting substantially similar type objects whichdiffer from one another either in terms of the properties of twooppositely situated surfaces of each such object or the spacing of suchtwo surfaces from one another, comprising a pair of driven entrainmentmeans for entraining the objects, each of said entrainment means beingprovided with an object entrainment surface, said entrainment surfacesbeing spaced in substantial parallelism from one another, means forselectively displaceably mounting said entrainment members such thattheir entrainment surfaces at least partially overlap one another, saidmounting means serving to selectively position said entrainment membersin desired relative orientation to one another for sorting objectseither on the basis of the property differences of said two oppositelysituated object surfaces or on the basis of the spacing between said twooppositely situated surfaces, and means for driving said two entrainmentmembers in the same sense during one operating condition of theapparatus when said entrainment members are used for sorting objectswith varying spacing between said two surfaces and during anotheroperating condition of the ap paratus for driving said two entrainmentmembers either in the same sense or in an opposite sense when said twoentrainment members are used for sorting objects which differ from oneanother by virtue of differences in the properties of said twooppositely situated surfaces, the position of said entrainment membersrelative to one another and the sense of driving thereof being chosensuch that at least those portions of said entrainment members whichoverlap move in respective 0p posite directions.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein during said oneoperating condition of the apparatus said entrainment sur faces assume aposition which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein during said anotheroperating condition of the apparatus said entrainment surfaces areessentially horizontally positioned.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim l, wherein during said anotheroperating condition of the apparatus said entrainment members are formedat least at said entrainment surfaces thereof from a resilient elasticplastic material.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim ll, wherein said entrainmentmembers are constructed in the: form of substantially platelike members,and said driving means serve to drivingly rotate said platelikeentrainment members in desired rotational sense with respect to oneanother.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said displaceablymountin means for said entrainment members mount both of sai platelikeentrainment members in offset relationship with respect to one anotherso that said entrainment surfaces partially overlap to define anoverlapping region, said driving means driving said platelikeentrainment members in the same rotational sense, and stripper meansarranged subsequent to said overlapping region above a lower one of saidentrainment members for outwardly ejecting the objects which are sortedaway from the apparatus.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said displaceablymounting means for said entrainment members mount both of said platelikeentrainment members substantially coaxially with respect to one another,said driving means driving said platelike entrainment members inopposite rotational sense from one another, and at least one strippermeans operatively engaging into the intermediate space between saidentrainment surfaces for outwardly ejecting objects away from theapparatus.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein during said oneoperating condition of the apparatus said entrainment surfaces assume aposition which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, saiddisplaceably mounting means for said entrainment members mounting bothof said platelike entrainment members coaxially with respect to oneanother, said driving means driving said platelike entrainment membersin the same rotational sense, and stripper means operably engaging inthe space between said entrainment surfaces for outwardly ejecting theobjects away from the apparatus.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said displaceablymounting means comprise a pivotably mounted support for both of saidplatelike entrainment members, at least one of said platelikeentrainment members being adjustably positionable in axial direction andat least one of said platelike entrainment members being adjustablypositionable in a plane containing the associated entrainment surface ofsaid lastmentioned platelike entrainment member and being fixable in itsmomentary adjustable position.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said mounting meansinclude means for mounting one of said platelike entrainment members topossess axial play, said lastmentioned entrainment member beingsubjected to the action of a predetermined force to displace same into acloser position with respect to the oppositely situated platelikeentrainment member.

1. An apparatus for sorting substantially similar type objects whichdiffer from one another either in terms of the properties of twooppositely situated surfaces of each such object or the spacing of suchtwo surfaces from one another, comprising a pair of driven entrainmentmeans for entraining the objects, each of said entrainment means beingprovided with an object entrainment surface, said entrainment surfacesbeing spaced in substantial parallelism from one another, means forselectively displaceably mounting said entRainment members such thattheir entrainment surfaces at least partially overlap one another, saidmounting means serving to selectively position said entrainment membersin desired relative orientation to one another for sorting objectseither on the basis of the property differences of said two oppositelysituated object surfaces or on the basis of the spacing between said twooppositely situated surfaces, and means for driving said two entrainmentmembers in the same sense during one operating condition of theapparatus when said entrainment members are used for sorting objectswith varying spacing between said two surfaces and during anotheroperating condition of the apparatus for driving said two entrainmentmembers either in the same sense or in an opposite sense when said twoentrainment members are used for sorting objects which differ from oneanother by virtue of differences in the properties of said twooppositely situated surfaces, the position of said entrainment membersrelative to one another and the sense of driving thereof being chosensuch that at least those portions of said entrainment members whichoverlap move in respective opposite directions.
 2. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein during said one operating condition of theapparatus said entrainment surfaces assume a position which is inclinedwith respect to a horizontal plane.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim1, wherein during said another operating condition of the apparatus saidentrainment surfaces are essentially horizontally positioned.
 4. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein during said another operatingcondition of the apparatus said entrainment members are formed at leastat said entrainment surfaces thereof from a resilient elastic plasticmaterial.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein saidentrainment members are constructed in the form of substantiallyplatelike members, and said driving means serve to drivingly rotate saidplatelike entrainment members in desired rotational sense with respectto one another.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein saiddisplaceably mounting means for said entrainment members mount both ofsaid platelike entrainment members in offset relationship with respectto one another so that said entrainment surfaces partially overlap todefine an overlapping region, said driving means driving said platelikeentrainment members in the same rotational sense, and stripper meansarranged subsequent to said overlapping region above a lower one of saidentrainment members for outwardly ejecting the objects which are sortedaway from the apparatus.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, whereinsaid displaceably mounting means for said entrainment members mount bothof said platelike entrainment members substantially coaxially withrespect to one another, said driving means driving said platelikeentrainment members in opposite rotational sense from one another, andat least one stripper means operatively engaging into the intermediatespace between said entrainment surfaces for outwardly ejecting objectsaway from the apparatus.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, whereinduring said one operating condition of the apparatus said entrainmentsurfaces assume a position which is inclined with respect to ahorizontal plane, said displaceably mounting means for said entrainmentmembers mounting both of said platelike entrainment members coaxiallywith respect to one another, said driving means driving said platelikeentrainment members in the same rotational sense, and stripper meansoperably engaging in the space between said entrainment surfaces foroutwardly ejecting the objects away from the apparatus.
 9. The apparatusas defined in claim 5, wherein said displaceably mounting means comprisea pivotably mounted support for both of said platelike entrainmentmembers, at least one of said platelike entrainment members beingadjustably positionable in axial direction and at least one of saidplatelike entRainment members being adjustably positionable in a planecontaining the associated entrainment surface of said last-mentionedplatelike entrainment member and being fixable in its momentaryadjustable position.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, whereinsaid mounting means include means for mounting one of said platelikeentrainment members to possess axial play, said last-mentionedentrainment member being subjected to the action of a predeterminedforce to displace same into a closer position with respect to theoppositely situated platelike entrainment member.